VIRGINIA — An unmanned rocket carrying supplies bound for the International Space Station exploded moments after liftoff in Virginia Tuesday evening, according to officials.
Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares rocket blew up over the launch complex at Wallops Island, Virginia, just six seconds after liftoff.
It's the first accident since NASA turned to private companies to deliver cargo to the ISS after the shuttle program.
"We do want to express our dissatisfaction that we weren't able to fulfill our obligation to the International Space Station," said Frank Culbertson with Orbital Sciences Corporation.
The company has a $1.9 billion contract with NASA to make eight flights to the ISS.
Officials said no one was believed to be hurt in the explosion and the damage appeared to be limited to the facilities. Some debris is likely to have landed on properties and along nearby beaches.
"Emergency responders have been on the scene since the event and they still have it locked down tonight," said Bill Wrobel, NASA Wallops Flight Facility director.
The Cygnus cargo ship was loaded with 5,000 pounds of gear and 1,300 pounds of food for the six people living on the space station. It was the fourth Cygnus bound for the orbiting lab; the first flew just over a year ago.
At this point, officials said there's no word what caused the accident and an extensive investigation has been initiated.
"We will look very carefully at what might've happened here," said Culbertson.
NASA is also paying the California-based SpaceX company to keep the space station stocked in the post-shuttle era.
WFTV
